85 Front Axle

[81Toy4x]

I am going to be painting my 85 front axle pretty soon, and I want to make it as simple as possible.  Do I need that torque arm on there?  And is there anything I can cut off before I paint, because I'd rather do it now then later.  I am going to maintain stock steering when I put it in, but not too long after upgrade to crossover steering.  So please tell me what's safe to torch off of the front axle.  Worthless tabs, torque arm, etc. thanks in advance for the help.

[WHITE_TRASH]

Yep cut all the non used crap off.  Such as, sway bar mounts, torque bar mount and the steering stabilizer mount.  As long as your there you might as well cut the shock mounts off and add a couple of gussets to the bells to stiffen up the housing in that part beings they like to bend there.

[81Toy4x]

Okay, I may sound dumb but were you kidding when you said get rid of the shock mounts?  I am going to cut the torque arm off, and steering stabilizer mounts.  Amd can you show me some pictures of what the bells are, I am not familar with what you are talking about? 

[WHITE_TRASH]

The birf's are inside the bells.  What Im talking about is cutting the shockmounts off, adding a piece of 1/4"x2" flatbar along the top of the lower bell to the spring perch.  Then building new or modifying the old shockmounts on top of the gussets.  Dont forget to lose the sway bar mounts as well.

[81Toy4x]

Well for now I am just going to cut off the swaybar mounts, and the torque arm.  When I do crossover steering I'll go back and do that modification.  What does the torque arm do anyways?  Does it prevent axle wrap or what? 

[WHITE_TRASH]

Woo hoo!  11 points.  Ok back to the Q.  The torque arm stops the front axle from "diving" under hard breaking.  It also helps to prevent bump steer.  Cut it off and dont look back.

[81Toy4x]

What is bump steer?

[Skinny_Pedal]

your soon gonna find out!

[WHITE_TRASH]

its when your steering wheel moves when you hit a bump.

[Skinny_Pedal]

makes it more of a  experience or challenge

[KYOTA]

You're not going to drive it without the torque arm with stock steering are you? Cut all that crap off and do your highsteer

[84runner]

You're not going to drive it without the torque arm with stock steering are you? Cut all that crap off and do your highsteer

Driving the without the torque arm and stock steering is over rated  I've been doing it for over a year 

[KYOTA]

 

[81Toy4x]

Yeah, I am going to for now.  Because I already have the expense of the knuckle service, vented rotors, IFS calipers, and extended lines to deal with, I just can't afford hy-steer right now.  I am going to do hy-steer when I buy new front springs.  I'm pissed cuz the J-arm on this axle is busted, I was hoping to have a spare.